Love love love

It has been a really good year.

I've been lucky enough to travel to quite a few places this year, made loads of new friends and stepped out of my comfort zone in Philips.

Granted, I missed the days where I have my team with me, days where I get to call the shots and have more responsibility on my hands. I loved being able to teach someone new things.

But in exchange, I have gained so much more.

I have more time with my mom, who is the best mom on earth (in my eyes of course!) Her love for us does not come in words or wise advices. Instead she displays them in the smallest form of action like washing my cup for me just because she knows I don't mind using and reusing it to death. Cleaning out my rubbish bin because she knows I procrastinates. Prays for our health during her weekly visit to her temple. Our family's her priority.

I managed to convince the younger brother to go back to school. Despite the years where we fought, strangled and cursed each other to death, I think there's still hope in that brainless one.

Friends from novena are lovely. I'm always getting free coffee treats from them! :D it's only been 2 months but they sure are a fun bunch.

Don't get me started on friend who are overseas. An SMS or picture update from them is enough to plant a smile on my face.

Christmas shopping, feasting over Korean BBQ and catching up over a gin tonic may be simple things but you people are just so much fun to hang out with.

May 2013 be as awesome, if not better!

Food and more food!

With cookies and presents in abundance I'm sure it's gonna be a great Christmas this year!

Of pain and sorrow

I got to know that an ex colleague of mine is going through a very rough patch. It is a story of a man who slipped into the shadows.

Somehow, it reminds me of how dark days were 5 or 6 years ago. I can comprehend the helpless, gut wrenching pain she has to endure. Not forgetting she has 2 young humans now resting in her hands.

How one can be so irresponsible I can never understand nor can I assent.

It is not the fact that you leave behind another, it's more of how you can turn your back without any rhyme or reason. Or for the lack of a better word, be a complete jackass and choose never to look the problem in the eye.

New year resolution

Things I want my lazy ass to do in 2013

Get that tattoo I have been wanting to since so many gazillion years ago.

Get started on driving license. Note to self: I am going to turn 30 REALLY SOON. 

Bring Elsie back to class on Saturdays. I miss the buzzing sound of sewing machines. This time I wanna make come pencil cases, cushions and curtains. 

Well that is not too long a list. 

I hope the new role does not require alot of overtime (if any at all) because I am starting to enjoy having my life back. 

One of the colleagues from Novena signed us up for a desert-making lesson at Holland V today. I never knew there was a stretch of (ahem atas looking) cooking-related shops in that area. All I remember of Holland Village is ice cream, beer, gin and a whole lot of merry (remember the stranger who tried to include himself in our pictures when we were in wala-wala?). 

So I am now equipped with the knowledge of how to make MOCHI, CHEESE CAKE (ok, actually I can't quite remember this one) and 'SWEE' LOOKING AGAR-AGAR JELLY. Of course the possibility of re-making is a near 0 because I do not have a kitchen to experiment in. 

I am officially a business hr no more. Things are changing pretty quick don't you think?

This time last year, I was still clocking a more than 12 hours a day job and if I remember correctly, making sure the go-live for Indon will go smoothly. 12 months on who will remember the legacy of the team who made it happen? I made a mental count and there's barely 9 faces I could recognize from the pictures the survivors put up on FB. 

But we are all in better places now and to me just this fact alone has made this year a more than fantastic one. 

XOXOXOXO

Reconnect.

I'm not sure if the void I feel when I am bored and alone is normal. And I think it's too odd a question (if the emotion can even be described) to ask the people around me.

One of the GMs walked over to congratulate me on the move to a new role. While at it, he also mentioned I am suitable for a customer facing role so as a BBHR, I'm kinda in the right spot.

I know it was not an easy choice to make, to decide to go back and face systems, but I still think the fact is that I find myself awkward when I need to face customers.

Although most will retort my claim of being shy.

What an amazing virgin trip to the states!

Volunteering by spending time with elderlys and primary school kids has been a highlight for me this week. The kids were so cute and innocent especially when one expressed serious concern when the mentor mentioned she had a root canal done. The kid asked 'Why is the Road and the Long Kang in your mouth mentor?!?'.

How Adorable!
School tuckshop is an awesome place with really affordable prices ($1.50!) and good food. I think I had the best curry noodles in GR Primary.

If only there is a way to make these trips a permanaent fixture in my weekdays.

I am having this tingaling sensation going down my tummy. The last time I felt like this was probably when I had to present the HR Simplified idea to the entire Malaysia team in the basement of the equitorial hotel. I wonder if it's because
Gasp - A GP has finally diagnose me with sinuses after a series of x-rays. Now I can explain why my flu was so pesistent and she's instructed me with so much antibiotics I think I will probably run into gastrics the next time I see her for a follow-up.
Gasp - I finally landed my hands on a book I had been wanting to get - American Gods and somehow I even charmed the shopkeeper (a nerdy entrepreneur in a pretty yellow shop) into giving me a free book!
Gasp - The amount of new colleagues I have to meet and try to remember. It also does not help that I often go back to TPY for lunch and hence prob seem like an outsider to them
Gasp - A lady colleague of mine in this new office mentioned to me this morning when she bumped into me in the underpass that they all think I am only 24 (eh gossip ah?). This means that what evern anti-aging product I am using is working wonders! haha!

Oh and did I mention I love the all new G2000 work dresses they have recently released? Prices are way ridiculous though. I live by this motto that I SHALL ONLY BUY WHEN THERE IS A SALE.

Have a good week everyone!

New shoes from New Look

The down side about getting off work on time (and on very humane hour of 5.30) is to wait for friends who have no sense of time.

£\*^]><{%\+]£€>\=

I think i finally understand what people meant by quarter life crisis (ahem, although aku is >25 this year).

While sitting on the comfy bed of Riz Carlton today, I realize that I'm bored. Bored of the things I do, bored of coming up with new things to do and bored of going through the momentum of going through the things I need to do (such as going to work, going to bed etc).

And horror of all horrors, I was bored of the conversation we were having in Crystal Jade on Saturday. Of course the dry topic of MBA, Masters, Schools, Trades, Futures did NOT help. I practically zoned out for like a good 15 mins while they went on it for a good HOUR. I guess I really am not very into B&F stuff huh?

This makes me wonder if this is the reason why certain things happen in life. Like why people start family planning and popping up kids. Surely life changes when there is a baby. Or why people take up new hobbies or start to do things like volunteering?

Anyways.

Last Friday's meetup with the girls was great although Poor Carol had a bit of a tummy upset. Seeing them again reminds me of how much I missed having so many FRIENDS at work. You see each other for so many hours in a week that the bond just grows (time allows feelings to manifest perhaps?). When I hear about how they are doing now, it has also dawned on me how much I miss being their mother-hen.

As much as I love my new job with rather exciting areas of responsibility, I can't help but hate that I can no longer be part of my team anymore, well ignoring that the team is no longer intact of course.

Perhaps I am emo-ing because of a hormones overdrive? Now that I get enough R&R, it could be back with a vengeance! Hahaha!

Do you give out a sigh of happiness when you see something you love going on sale? Or when you see pretty things tucked in very pretty gift boxes?

It just comes very naturally to me.

The day I went mad at the coolest watch heaven in town. Prices are real good and the very kind auntie even offered to give me a discount.

Saw this really vintage seiko but it costs a freaking $700! wow!

A mouse pad I got for $3. Just.couldn't.resist.it.

Moustache nails I tried out last week.

Have a colorful weekend peeps.

Tell tale signs that I am in high spirits - constant shopping! Not expensive shopping mind you, $12.00 chiffon top from a Pasar Malam (gorgeous emerald green), 2 necklaces a bag a scarf from Accessorize with a I-cannot-believe-it 70% off!

Oh so cheap!

Despite the fact that I am not used to the new pace of life (not that I am complaining!), I have to say it has now become more obvious to me that leaving was indeed a right decision.

Now I got to start planning what I wanna wear for work tomorrow.

Pictures from the cruise to Penang and Phuket. Love my mom to bits.

First week of a new employment and I think it's gone well. People are fabulous and the hours are really good. Although location is a little far off, the on-the-dot working hours has enable me to reach home (or should I say both homes) earlier than I could have from TPY. Yay!

Now I just need to continue the nasal flu I have had since weeks ago!

Just caught Abraham Lincoln the movie. The book is way better though.

Tioman was great! With the shoreline so near to our doorstep, the mornings are woken with the sound of crashing waves. Breakfast was blah but lunch and dinner was good. Oh the dinner! Such marvellous sea creatures.

The flight there was a little too exciting for a timid mouse to endure a second time. The plane was old and it flew with propellers instead of the turbo engines I am more familiar with. Seat rests are on the verge of breaking into 2. Still it's was more painless than the bus and boat trip with a total of 6 hours. I was so hungry I could have eaten a cow.

In an attempt to break my coughing curse I actually had a hot white fungus with aloe vera for tea. No more iced deserts for the sickly.

Ice cream however is always an exception.

I turned down google (well and Panasonic but that was bah)

I can barely believe it. But somehow something didn't feel right. Oh well, what's done is done. I hope the next one year will be exciting.

I've been plagued with bad health and I think there really is a need to restore youth into my hundred year old body.

While planning for days I have loads of free time, I did a little home improvement. July's going to be awesome with holidays (read: beach, sea and food!) a BBQ with people u adore and even a high tea with the team of unemployed!

I have to admit that I didn't know leaving was going to be so easy. There were tears and lots of I-miss-yous but hey things are working out great :)

I must be the luckiest person to have friends recommending me to positions within their companies. I was a recruiter previously and I know the impact of introducing a non-performer so if I do clinch any of the positions, rest assured, I will put my heart into it.

Today's interview went well. There is going to be another one tomorrow. After so many years of being in the interviewer position, I think I must have been the nicest interviewer you can find. Rachel will probably smirk at this remark.

Overall whether it's P or J or Giant G I'll get the chance to join, I'll leave it to fate, chance and god to decide.

When Pigs Fly!

Bandung was awesome. I hope Tioman, Penang and Phuket will be as good.

I just realized that the time machine does not work. The earliest post on this blog dates back to 07 (good gosh) but there is no link to read past entries. I can read them as the owner of the blog but it's a hassle.

This was the URS office back on Ann Siang Hill.

My previous desk in URS's second office.

I am unemployed and it's been a long time since I've felt this light and carefree. Does anyone want to catch up over an avocado milkshake at Amoy?

And so if you remember my rumbling about breaking free earlier in March...

I still can't quite believe there will no longer be any more cases, emails to reply to, dumbos to please and arrows on fire which I need to avoid. Oh course I will be missing the good old friends of mine who are family to me. I miss those days.

People say to take a break, is to be prepared for a longer journey. And what you resists persists while what you embrace dissolves.

Ellie is Carl's adventure.

Wall-e is Eve's directive.

Sally is McQueen's slow lane.

Jessie is Buzz's mission.

Flic is Atta's protection.

Sully is Boo's Kitty.

Marlin is Dory's memory.

Helen is Bob's power.

So this is what it feels like to not have to work every weekend and public holiday. I feel a new lease of life already! 

Looking back at the 4 years it has been a long journey from a newbie to a complete new set of colleagues and an X number of managers I had to report to with the seriously high turn over. I have had so many friends I made along the way and many lessons I have learnt the hard way. 

I was lucky to have Carolyn who is the most diligent student I can ask for. Libin who was there to walk me through one of the darkest moments at work (working from a foreign land baby!). William, one of the better managers I had the opportunity to work for. The guy on the left's the asshole who I still think should be beaten up to a pulp in the cold dark alley. 

The batch from 2008 is now officially disbanded! 

No matter how, when or why I made the decision to leave is no longer important. I hope I have what it takes to take on the next leg of the race :)

4 years and I feel it's time. It could be because of the huge surge of transactions that came in for the most looked-forward-to April. With the combination of many countries and ass-holes who make business partners, I threw in the towel.

Much to my surprise, the other managers have done that as well.

Ohhh-hooo. I wonder what June will be like ;)

Who would have thought we could survive till April?

It's finally the month of moolahs (i like!) where bonus fills up all our bank accounts. Although the bonus this year ain't anywhere as good as the last (economy costed me a good 1 month bonus !!!) it is still pretty neat to see more ka-chings :D

So with this, I've decided to finally bring my moommeh to Hong Kong! It'll be my i-have-lost-count time there but I really love the hustle and bustle of people, traffic, fantastic food, cheap cosmetics, disneyland and breath taking scenery. It reminds me of... love.

I love Hong Kong.

Work is tough. Things get tougher with every step I take and in a month's time, I'll have 6 little chicks under my flabby wing. I'm so young (at 28 I would like to think so!) yet have to think so old and I have to weigh so many factors. I am but a person who wants to make a living. Why are things so hard? humpft.

Sometimes when I look back at the decisions I have made in life so far, I wonder if I could have thought through them throughly. Ahh, such is life. Where one's young self was hasty (and stupid).

It's a quarter mark into 2012. So what have you achieved so far?

Credits to http://www.havemuse.com/

whimsical charm...

Took me 27 years to realise no matter what happens there's always love between siblings

I'm not sure if it's the stress level, the constant headache from an overload of caffeine or just sheer 'hiao-ness' but I've caught on the nail polish bug.

I love staring at my toes with lovely nail colors on them. So much so i am just 1 click away from these g-marketing these 2:

(For some reason the pictures refuse to sit next to each other).

Just yesterday, there was a rather unexpected team bonding session with the department. Especially with people whom I found I had experience much difficulty in dealing with on a day to day basis. Thankfully, (perhaps also under the influence of insufficient caffeine) I was able to hold my cool and handled the negative feedback for my team pretty well. To top it off, I think I was able to display a much more mature outlook, focusing mostly on overall department performance rather than pin pointing on a particular person/event. As usual the ex-manager was all pissed off and completely in a shut down mode. I'm not going to engage in WW3 with you.

Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me

2011 has been a year most travelled (loves ink stamps on passport!).

Hopefully, I can hit New York this year. I really really really wanna go!

And I have lost the extra weight I've gained over the endless business trips! :D

Work is always a constant battle. Everyday I'm fighting time and trying not to get suffocated by the amount of work that needs to be done.

I also noticed that I have become such a whiner! Gosh.